The Pakistan Navy Received Marine Assault Boats (MAB) From Poland
Through Q4 2019, the Pakistan Navy (PN) took delivery of two 12-ton Military Assault Boats (MAB) from the Polish shipbuilder Techno Marine under a transfer-of-technology (ToT) agreement signed in 2018.
According to open source export-import (EXIM) logs in Pakistan, the MAB deliveries (of the initial as well as potentially additional ships) were taking place since at least June 2019.
The PN’s contract with Techno Marine reportedly covers four 12-ton MABs for patrolling creek areas, and 14 30-ton MABs to cover the country’s coastal areas (source: PAR 5 on Pakistan Defence).
It is unclear to what extent the ToT agreement allows for Pakistan to manufacture the MABs on a turnkey basis, i.e., without material kits (KoM) from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The MABs are a new or original design, and, interestingly, are not listed in Techno Marine’s product catalogue.
The PN is among Techno Marine’s leading customers. Prior to the MAB program, the PN also procured 30 of custom designed SOF Chaser TM-1226 rigid inflatable boats (RIB) from Techno Marine. Each TM-1226 can carry up to 16 personnel and is capable of reaching a top speed of 50 knots through two 250 hp engines. These RIBs are being used by the PN’s Special Service Group Navy (SSG-N) arm.
Overall, it seems that the PN is relying on China and Turkey for its big-ticket naval needs, but for non-naval and niche requirements, it is working with Techno Marine, Damen Shipyards Group, and Swiftships. The latter two are supplying 2,300 ton corvettes and a fast-patrol vessel (FPV), respectively.
While these other programs are smaller in scope and cost than the Chinese and Turkish contracts, there may be an opportunity for growth atop of increased maritime activity in Pakistan. First, there could be a growth in requirements if Gwadar gains momentum, which will see the PN, Maritime Security Agency and other entities acquire more ships. Second, Pakistan is looking to build new shipyards in Baluchistan, and it may sell-off some of the new capacity to privately owned shipbuilders.
Techno Marine, Damen Shipyards Group and/or Swiftships could factor into both growth opportunities in the medium-to-long-term through sales and, potentially, investment in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Air Chief Says Air Force Will Have Solution for India’s Rafale
Alan Warnes, an aviation journalist, recently spoke to the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Mujahid Anwar Khan about the PAF’s upcoming plans. The PAF CAS told Warnes that the PAF will match the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) forthcoming acquisitions, including the Dassault Rafale.
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